A regional
breakdown of the fight against piracy and counterfeiting in the UK
has been revealed in a new report published today.
The annual IP (Intellectual Property) Crime Report reveals the
extensive action being taken across the country and the
significant collaboration between all the agencies involved in
tackling intellectual property crime.
The report, which is published by the Intellectual Property
Office, reveals millions of fake items were seized through
operations into everything from market traders to internet auction
sites.
Her Majesty Revenue Customs seized over 2100 consignments
containing four million items during 2009/10. The goods had an
estimated value of £40 million, based on the price of the genuine item.
The value of close co-operation was again demonstrated last week
when addresses across England and Wales were raided as part of an
investigation into the importation and distribution of fake
branded clothing.
The raids on Wednesday July 21 followed a lengthy investigation
by Rhondda Cynon Taff Trading Standards with support from other
Trading Standards, police, the UK Border Agency and the IPO’s
Intelligence Hub.
The various agencies were together able to track thousands of
items of counterfeit goods and the raids also saw 25 kilos of
Class B controlled drugs being seized.
Intellectual Property Minister Baroness Wilcox said:
“Counterfeiting and piracy are a major threat to the British
economy. They take sales from legitimate businesses and put jobs
in danger.
“Fake goods often pose a real threat to the people buying them.
We have seen cigarettes with dangerous levels of chemicals,
electrical goods that are a fire risk and toys that are a danger
to our children.
“I am pleased to see everyone coming together: police, trading
standards, industry, the Intellectual Property Office, and others
to tackle this menace.
“The real key to beating this threat is the public. People must
refuse to buy anything they suspect is not genuine and report the
seller to their trading standards or police.”
The IP Crime Report was produced by the IPO’s IP Crime Group,
which consists of government, enforcement agencies and industry
groups.
It highlights the wide range of fake and pirated products being
sold in the UK. Over the last year, Trading Standards departments
have dealt with everything from fake toothpaste to fake airplane
spare parts and pesticides as well as designer goods, music and film.
The report contains figures for goods seized and activity carried
out by a range of organisations across the country.
It also highlights the value of the Proceeds of Crime Act to
fighting piracy and counterfeiting. The act allows enforcement
agencies to apply for money made from criminal activities to be confiscated.
Kent Police secured its largest ever confiscation order after
working closely with the county’s trading standards department.
The force secured a £3.2m order against Guarcharan Singh, from
Chatham, after he was charged with 43 counts of selling fake goods
from his shop and market stall.
Giles York, IP Crime Group chairman and Deputy Chief Constable of
Sussex Police, said:
“The fight against counterfeiting is not a fight against a Del
Boy-style character on a market stall. It is a fight against
organised criminal gangs who alongside counterfeit and pirated
goods smuggle guns, drugs and people.
“By working together to share intelligence and develop operations
– we are having a real impact. These are real crimes, committed by
real criminals. We must all keep up this good work.”
Notes to editors
The IP Crime Group was formed in 2004 by the Intellectual
Property Office to bring together experts from industry,
enforcement agencies and government to work together on piracy and
counterfeiting issues.The Intellectual Property Office is within
the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills and
responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property
rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation
and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users,
promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of
the knowledge based economy. It operates in a national and an
international environment and its work is governed by national and
international law, including various international treaties
relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party. For media
enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office please contact
Paul Conroy on 020 7215 5303.BIS' online newsroom
contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and
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Contacts:
BIS Press Office
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Paul Conroy
Phone: 020 7215 5303
paul.conroy@bis.gsi.gov.uk